Aphrodisias March 2011 4483.jpg

The southern Agora, between the North Agora and the Theater, was developed as a secondary public square between the 1st and mid 2nd century AD. The earliest building in the South Agora was its north portico, dedicated to the emperor Tiberius (AD 14-37). The frieze of this portico was carved with a chain of garlands hanging from carved masks depicting a variety of Greek theatrical characters. The west and south sides of the South Agora were later also enclosed by colonnaded porticos. Behind these lay important civic buildings: the Hadrianic Baths on the west and the Civil Basilica (a large public hall) and Theatre on the south. Direct access from the South Agora to the theatre was provided by a covered passageway still visible in the massive retaining wall in the southeast corner of the area. The east side of the South Agora was closed off by a tall columnar fašade, richly decorated with statues. The most remarkable feature of the South Agora was along ornamental pool, which runs down the center of the area. The east and west ends of this pool were revealed in excavations in the 1980s, while the middle portion remains unexcavated.